Glossary

A Certified Medical Scribe Specialist is a non-clinical ancillary staff member that is an assistant to the physician, mid-level provider; Certified Medical Scribe Specialists are trained and continuously assessed. The CMSS has met 200 hours clinically or has met 50 hour clinical training program. They are used to maximize the efficiency and productivity of clinical care. Duties include real time transcribing of physician notes, organization of objective health care data, enhancement of the Electronic Health Record, point-of-service collections, and patient tracking. A CMSS meets both pre-clinical and clinical training, has mastered MSCAT certification, and maintains membership with 5 hours of continuing education annually.

Certified Medical Scribe Apprentice (CMSA):

A Certified Medical Scribe Apprentice is a non-clinical ancillary staff member that is an assistant to the physician, mid-level provider; Certified Medical Scribe Apprentices are those individuals that have successfully passed MSCAT certification; however, lack the 200 hours of clinical experience OR has not graduated from a medical scribe program with 50 hour clinical training built in. Once hours of experience have been achieved, the Certified Medical Scribe Apprentice submits hours of attestation and whereby is referred to as a Certified Medical Scribe Specialist. Duties include real time transcribing of physician notes, organization of objective health care data, enhancement of the Electronic Health Record, and point-of-service collections and patient tracking. A CMSA meets pre-clinical training requirements, has successfully passed MSCAT certification, and maintains membership with 5 hours of continuing education annually.

Medical Scribe:

A non-accredited, non-clinical ancillary staff member who functions in a role similar to that of a Certified Medical Scribe Apprentice (CMSA). The central difference is that a scribe lacks the standardized training, certification, and continual education afforded to a Certified Medical Scribe Specialist (CMSS). Currently scribes are unregulated by an official governing body; accordingly the function, skill level, and experience varies greatly between hospitals and scribe programs. American College of Medical Scribe Specialists sets minimal performance standards in collaboration with TJC, CMS, and Meaningful Use (MU) criteria.

Virtual Medical Scribe:

A non-accredited, non-clinical off-site assistant who documents remotely with the use of visual and audio technology. Given the remote access, a VMS may work from any location worldwide and may not be held professionally accountable under United States laws.

Scribing:

Dynamic real-time recording of verbal communication from the physician, patient-doctor interaction, at the point of service while under the constant supervision of the medical provider. The method of documentation can include hand written or electronic documentation using blank or structured data templates.

Criteria

The process of selecting a potential Certified Medical Scribe is complex. Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or G.E.D. Each company sets their own criteria for hiring and selection process.

Welcome to the American College of Medical Scribe Specialists, a non-profit 501(c)6. Since 2010 ACMSS has represented the medical scribe industry through certification, advocacy and employment. The ACMSS certifies medical scribes who meet its education, professional standing, and examination standards.

We are a membership association, offering both academic-to-certification and employment-to-certification conduit.